talabat UAE relaunches its rider initiative with solar-powered rest areas, expanding across the nation to enhance summer well-being and safety.
Dubai: talabat UAE has relaunched its ‘Summer Together’ rider initiative, reaffirming its commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of delivery riders during the UAE’s intense summer months. Building on the success of its 2023 debut, the initiative now features expanded coverage, sustainable infrastructure, and new public-private partnerships.
Initially launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and the Joint Committee of Traffic Safety, the initiative introduced solar-powered, air-conditioned rest areas for delivery riders. These smart boxes provide hydration stations, seating, mobile charging points, and shaded exterior air pumps—designed to reduce fatigue, heat stress, and CO₂ emissions.
In 2025, talabat has scaled this model nationally, in partnership with Emarat, ensuring greater reach by positioning rest areas at strategic fuel stations. With support from Abu Dhabi Mobility and Abu Dhabi Municipality, the initiative has now expanded beyond Abu Dhabi to all seven emirates, creating a dependable, eco-friendly support network for thousands of riders.
Simonida Subotic, Vice President and Managing Director of talabat UAE, said: “This initiative reflects our long-term commitment to rider welfare and innovation-driven impact. Together with our partners, we’re building a resilient ecosystem that prioritises well-being across our delivery network.”
The smart rest areas are self-sufficient, operating 24/7 with rechargeable solar batteries—completely eliminating fuel use. In 2024 alone, talabat UAE’s rest areas saw over 462,000 rider visits, with 42,650 litres of water distributed. Beyond fixed stations, the initiative also includes mobile bus units, vendor-provided spaces, and cooling kits, with 100% of talabat’s bike fleet equipped with thermal bottles and snoods.
HE Dalal Saeed Al Shehhi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Protection at MoHRE, praised the initiative: “talabat’s continued support complements national efforts to protect outdoor workers, especially during the Midday Break period from 15 June to 15 September.”
The talabat rider initiative has grown from a pilot to a national model for sustainable workforce care, reinforcing UAE’s occupational health standards and showcasing effective collaboration between government and private sectors.
